Sweco to design biogas plant in Estonia

Sweco has been awarded a contract to design a biogas plant in which energy is extracted from cow manure and other biodegradable materials.

A new plant for biogas production is planned for construction in the Aravete area of central Estonia. Sweco has been given responsibility for designing the actual production plant and surrounding buildings and to develop technical solutions for service systems.

“With modern technical solutions, we can both reduce environmentally hazardous emissions and minimise unpleasant odours from handling of the manure and other organic materials,” explains Toomas Kärmik, who is responsible for the assignment at Sweco.

Sweco has previously designed biogas plants in other parts of Estonia, but this is one of the first to be developed for use of by-products from agricultural activities. The client is Aravete Biogaas, a 50/50 joint venture between the milk producer Aravete Agro and the energy company Baltic Biogas.

“We have been working to develop the use of biogas for several years now, but see this project as the first good example of a plant based on manure and agricultural by-products,” says Henry Uljas from Baltic Biogas.

The plant is scheduled for completion during 2011.